Nepal, July 28 -- Senior Nepali Congress (NC) leader Gopal Man Shrestha has died. He was 88.

Shrestha, who had been suffering from pancreatic cancer for a prolonged period, had received treatment at several hospitals in India before returning to Nepal. He had been admitted to Helius Hospital in Kathmandu 14 days ago.

A team of doctors declared Shrestha dead at 2:51 PM on Tuesday, according to Suyog Acharya, a member of his secretariat.

NC's Office Chief Secretary Krishna Dulal also confirmed Shrestha's death and said the party would issue an official statement shortly.

After visiting Shrestha at the hospital, NC President Gagan Thapa had declared him the party's senior leader on July 23. Shrestha was a veteran NC leader who held seve...